Anatomia de três espécies de Littorinidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda) do Brasil

Abstract

Littorinidae is a gastropod molluscs family known for inhabit mangroves and rock shores around the world. In Brazilian coast, the family is represented for two genera and three species, Littoraria angulifera, Littoraria flava, e Echinolittorina lineolata. The goal of the study was to perform a description of the shell, radula, pallial cavity, male and female reproductive system and digestive system of the three species, thus improving the knowledge and adding information about the anatomy of this group. We analyzed the animals collected in the estuary of Pacoti river – CE, in the “Pedra Rachada” beach – CE, in “Pacheco” beach – CE and specimens deposited in “Coleção Malacológica Prof. Henry Ramos Matthews” – B Series (CMPHRM) of “Universidade Federal do Ceará” (UFC). The radula was observed through optic and photographed through scanning electron microscope (SEM). The three animals‟ radula is of taenioglossa type. Littoraria angulifera has a globular shell, a long respiratory fold in its pallial cavity, pallial oviduct with albumen gland but without capsule gland, penis with disc gland but without mamiliforme gland, middle esophagus with a longitudinal ventral fold but without longitudinal dorsal fold, stomach without gastric shield, and a rachidian tooth with a well developed hood. Littoraria flava has a globular shell, absence of a respiratory fold in its pallial cavity, pallial oviduct with albumen gland and capsule gland, penis without disc gland and mamiliforme gland, middle esophagus with a pair of longitudinal ventral folds but without longitudinal dorsal fold, stomach with a gastric shield, and a rachidian tooth with a low hood. Echinolittorina lineolata has a conical shell, absence of a respiratory fold in its pallial cavity, pallial oviduct with albumen gland and capsule gland, penis with a disc gland and a mamiliforme gland, middle esophagus with a pair of longitudinal ventral folds and a longitudinal dorsal fold, stomach without gastric shield, and absence of a hood in its rachidian tooth.